Meet Candice

Chicago Pet Photographer, and Family Portraits, specializing in dog photography - Bio Portrait of Candice, in black shirt with red short hair and glasses.

Candice C. Cusic is an internationally award-winning Chicago pet and family photographer, animal communicator, and former Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist. With more than 40 years of visual storytelling experience, she brings depth, intuition, and emotional intelligence to her signature Moment-Driven Photography™—a style devoted to capturing the soul and true personality of pets and the people who love them.

 

A pioneer in combining fine-art pet portraiture with intuitive animal communication, Candice creates calm, meaningful photography experiences for families and pet parents who value connection over posing. Her portraits are known for their honesty, quiet power, and ability to reveal the unspoken bond that makes pets family.

 

Beyond her private commissions, Candice is the creator of The See Hear Love Project™, a first-of-its-kind storytelling initiative that pairs photography and animal communication to help shelter and foster animals be seen, heard, and adopted. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: every animal deserves to be understood, and every story deserves to be told.

Want to learn more?

Chicago Pet Photographer

Avalanche didn’t start life this way.
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Rescued from a hoarding situation through @reddoorshelter, his world was once crowded, uncertain, and far from safe.
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But something beautiful happened—
his foster saw him… and never let him go.
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Avalanche is now home.
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
Meet Blanca.
Rescued, but still learning how to feel safe again.
During her animal communication session, Blanca shared a feeling of being abandoned in the rain—until Michelle, her foster mom, found her and brought her to safety.
“I’m scared… but I’m trying.”
She’s waiting for someone to show her she’s finally home.
Blanca and other incredible animals are available for adoption at SAYv Animal Organization (@sayvanimalorg).
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The See Hear Love Project is the only project of its kind, combining animal communication and portrait photography to help rescue animals be seen, heard, and adopted.
This is Part 2 of Ramona’s story from The See Hear Love Project™ — a Chicago-based initiative combining animal communication and fine-art photography to help foster animals be seen, heard, and adopted.
Each session begins with an on-camera communication reading followed by a professional portrait session, allowing foster animals to connect with potential adopters through emotion and storytelling.
Ramona’s message is part of a larger mission to bring visibility to animals waiting for homes and to highlight the life-saving power of fostering.
Follow the project:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cusicphoto
Website: https://www.cusicphoto.com/
Adopt a friend like Ramona! https://www.chicagolandpigrescue.com/
Your best friend at home deserves to be celebrated.
Not just in your camera roll — but in fine art that lives on your wall.
That’s why I hire a professional trainer for every session.
Because your best friend deserves to feel safe, calm, and supported while we create something beautiful.
And because women celebrate everyone else in their lives…
Why not the one who waits for you at home?
For the women who love fiercely — and the dogs who love them right back. 🖤
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That kind of connection deserves to be remembered as art.
From the shoot to the moment it comes together.
Guava. 💜 #chicagopetphotographer #rescuedog #pitbullsofinstagram
During their animal communication reading, Sam and Frodo thanked their foster, Hilary, for saving their life. They also shared something about their past and their hope for the future: no more cages.

This video is part of The See Hear Love Project — the only project that combines animal communication with fine-art photography to help adoptable animals be truly seen and heard.

These bonded bunnies are ready for a safe, loving home where they can stay together.

Sam and Frodo are available for adoption through @onetailatatime.

SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

#SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #rabbitrescue

Our location

Located in downtown Chicago.

1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

By appointment only

info@cusicphoto.com

 

Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

 

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